Swim Season

Yesterday was the first day of swim season through Oakland Parks and Recreation. The girls are beyond excited so I decided to interview them. (The interviews were conducted separately but I pretty much asked the same questions). Plus it may very well be their last season swimming, on this team at least.

What team do you swim for?
Peace: I swim with the GatorSharks because it is near our house and it is fun.
Faith: GatorSharks. The pool is close to our house and my sister swam for them. The coach asked if I wanted to too. I tried it and liked it.

What do you like about swimming?
Peace: That it is fun and it is a good survival skill to have.
Faith: Swimming is fun. A fun way to exercise. You can also do it year-round.

What are your goals this season?
Peace: To win (1st or 2nd) in all my races. I will probably do the IM (all the strokes--breast, butterfly, freestyle and backstroke) and the breast stroke.
Faith: I want to come in first in all my races.

What is your favorite stroke? 
Peace: my favorite stroke is the breast stroke.
Faith: My favorite is freestyle.

How does swimming benefit you?
Peace: Helps me to exercise and not be afraid of water.
Faith: Helps me to exercise. I probably wouldn't as much if not for swimming.

Do you see yourself as a life-long swimmer?
Peace: No because I am not that good of a swimmer. And it is not what I want to do.
Faith: Think I will but not as a career. I will probably always swim a little bit. I don't ever want to completely stop.

Do you plan to swim year-round?
Peace: Not sure if we will be swimming at all because our family is planning on moving. Not sure if I want to go to a different team.
Faith: Not sure but I would like to. I don't want to change teams tho. This team doesn't swim year-round. I think they are going to start practicing year-round but not have meets. 

What is the funnest part of swim? Not so fun part?
 Peace: Racing and practice when we get to play games. My favorite games are relays when you get to swim with clothes on and have to transfer them like a baton. I also like sharks and minnows.
 The not so fun part is when we have to do 200s back-to-back. A 200 is 8 laps without stopping.
Faith: Funnest is races. Not so fun is having to do a bunch of IMs

How long have you been swimming?
Peace: this will be my 3rd year.
Faith: I swam half the season last year so this will be my first full season.

Championships last year, How well did your team do? You?
GatorSharks took second last year. Peace doesn't recall how well she did. (i think she took 5th in her personal events) Faith took first in her events.

How is it being a Muslim swimmer?
Peace: Basically it is the same. We only dress different.
Faith: Just harder to find a swimsuit. Our parents don't let us where the same suits as the other girls. Our suits are more expensive.

What age group do you compete against?
Peace: 11-13 year olds. I JUST made 11. It is ok I guess. All the girls will be older. I know i will still do well.
Faith: 9-10. I feel fine. I think I will do well.

Any predictions:
Peace: I predict our team will come in first place.

*The team is having a swim-a-thon so if you want to and are able to sponsor one of the girls we would greatly appreciate any and all contributions.

**In case you are wondering. The Boy is taking lessons.